What is in the law?

Tobacco products (which include, but are not limited to, any cigar, little cigar, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, snus, bidi, snuff or dissolvable tobacco product) must be stored out of public view, except during a purchase by an adult consumer or restocking by a store employee

Products can be kept in cabinets, drawers, under the counter, behind a curtain or in any other concealed location

This provision does not apply to tobacco product advertising

2. Adult-only Tobacco Store Age Restrictions: Update the age restriction for retail tobacco stores, making it so that no person under the age of 18 is allowed in the store, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The odds of ever smoking doubled for youth who visited show on a daily basis

An earlier study in the U.S. found, that among students who visited stores with tobacco retail advertising more frequently, 29% initiated smoking, compared to only 9% among those who reported visiting stores less than twice a month. This study provided evidence that exposure to retail advertising is a risk factor for smoking initiation.

Strong Public Support for Display Ban

A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University in April 2013 shows strong support for Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed legislation to restrict the display of tobacco products in stores. The poll, released on April 11, shows that 68% for voters in NYC favor the proposal; only 30% oppose it. The display ban received broad support with the majority of voters favoring the proposal across gender, race, age, political affiliation and borough location. These results are consistent with findings from The Tobacco Behavior and Public Opinion Survey (2009, 2010) which showed increasing support for keeping tobacco products out of customers’ view from both smokers and non-smokers.